Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Martiniano, ‘11

Today’s Alumni Spotlight shines on Anthony Martiniano of Troy, New York, a 2011 UMM graduate with a degree in Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, and a Concentration in Management. Anthony is currently a branch manager with Enterprise Rent A Car.

Tell us a little bit about what you are doing now:

Upon graduation I moved back to Albany, NY and became a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual.  After two years, I decided to take a job opportunity at Enterprise Rent A Car. Upon being promoted three times in the last three years, I am currently operating as the Branch Manager of the Latham, NY office.

What is the most valuable thing you learned while at UMM?

Before I got to college, I was given the advice “You can get a college education anywhere, but you will only get a good experience from what you put into it.” I always kept that in the forefront during my time at UMM.  To mirror this advice, I got involved as much as I could with campus activities (Greek Life, WUMM, Tutor Center, Varsity Sports, Ambassadors Club).

Getting involved allowed me to hone in on skills and qualities such as leadership, organization, philanthropy, and teamwork.  For example, being so involved, I was running around campus from sunrise to long after the sun went down. Whether going to class, practice, work, or meetings, I knew I had to plan out my time in advance and balance all of my commitments. This lesson in organization has carried over into my professional life and is one of the qualities that makes me as successful as I am today.

Do you have any advice for current students at UMM?

My advice would be to get involved.  I grew up in a very populated area in upstate New York so when I first got to Machias and found out that the town population was approximately  2,000 people,  I almost had a heart attack.  Additionally, being 500 miles away from home was a huge adjustment and some of the organizations that I joined became family to me and made me feel a sense of belonging.  Between playing on the soccer team and being a part of Alpha Phi Omega- Psi Delta Chapter, I always had someone I could lean on. College does not come without some challenges along the way and it is always easier when you have a support system, especially when they are going through similar experiences.  Some of my greatest friendships are with my coaches, teammates, and brothers.

Overall, I had a great college experience because I was involved in so many activities. Remember to always put yourself out there because you never know when lifelong friendships can be made.

How did your time at UMM prepare you for what you are doing now?

UMM best prepared me for my career by giving me multiple leadership opportunities as well as a curriculum that supported my career path.  Some of the best classes I took in college were Accounting II with Professor Murphy, Leadership and Management with Professor Tropea, and Managerial Accounting with Professor McCarthy.  Finance and management is something that I utilize in the office every day.  College is great because it allows you to have a solid foundation that you can then apply real life experiences to.

How has UMM made a positive impact on your life?

I honestly would not have turned into the person and leader I am today without UMM.  I went to UMM because I liked the coaches and I wanted to continue to play soccer however, my total college experience proved to be irreplaceable.  The friendships I have created, the life lessons I have learned, and the education I received, truly could not be duplicated at any other college.